The Incidence, Intensity, and Risk Factors for Soil Transmissible Helminthes Infections among Waste Handlers in a Large Coastal Periurban Settlement in Southern Ghana

Abstract

Soil-transmissible helminthes (STH) infections are among the most common sanitation-related public health problems in poor periurban settlements of tropical regions of low- and middle-income countries. In Ghana, research studies documenting the incidence rate, intensity, and occupational risk factors of STH infections among adults are scanty. A prospective cohort study of 261 waste handlers was conducted to investigate this. Stool samples were collected after 90 and 180 days of treatment with albendazole (400 mg per dose). The geometric mean intensity of STH among waste handlers after 180 days of treatment was 2.8 eggs/gram (light intensity), with an incidence rate of 1.5%. The proportion of waste handlers with light intensity STH infections was 4.8%. The odds of STH infection among female waste handlers were 80% lower when compared with male waste handlers (aOR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.0–0.8). Waste handlers who used rubber gloves when working were 80% (aOR = 0.2: 95% CI: 0.2–1.9) protected from STH infections compared with those who did not use gloves. Infections with STH among the 261 waste handlers significantly correlated with the type of waste handling activities (LR χ2 = 15.3; p = 0.033 ) with the highest proportion of infection found among transporters, 2 (40%). Waste handlers should receive periodic antihelminthic treatment, at least once every six months, practice adequate hand hygiene, and use suitable personal protective equipment during work.

Practices of Occupational Health and Safety and Experience of Occupational Hazards Among Solid Waste Managers in Port Harcourt Metropolis of Rivers State

“…11,12 The majority of waste managers in this study had good OHS practices (87.1%), while the total usage of PPE was 90.9%, with the frequency of use being occasionally (42.0%) and hand gloves being the most commonly used PPE. This is higher in comparison with the results reported in the studies of Kretchy 13 in Ghana and Wahab and Ogunlolo 14 in Ekiti state, Nigeria, who found 72.6% and 60% excellent safety procedures, respectively. Also, this finding outperformed Bogale and Tefara 15 and Miwano et al .10 who found that only 22%, 30%, and 24.06% of SWC had effective safety procedures, respectively.…”

“…This high level of good practice and PPE usage among respondents might be attributed to governmental enforcement, effective worker education or pre-job training, and careful monitoring to ensure that particular laid-down criteria are followed. 10,13,14 The limited use of PPE, on the other hand, can be attributed to a lack of assistance from the necessary authorities in terms of providing particular kits. 10 In the current research, 61.5% of the SWCs said they had been exposed to work-related incidents such as cuts, punctures, and traffic accidents in the past 12 months while doing their duties.…”

Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and associated malnutrition among under-fives in conflict affected areas in southern Ethiopia

“…The reason for this is that open defecation contaminates environment including water sources [ 41 ]. Besides, this may also be explained by the fact that the infective egg and larval stages of STHs grows in fecal polluted external environment, such as the soil [ 42 ].…”

Perceived occupational health risks, noise and dust exposure levels among street sweepers in Mwanza City in Northern Tanzania

“…In order to protect individuals involved in solid waste management (i.e., collection and disposal), the use of PPE is vital [ 10 ]. Whereas in any factory or workplace, workers who are employed in any process involving exposure to any injurious, offensive substance or environment, effective protective equipment shall be provided and maintained by employer for the use of the persons employed [ 11 ].…”